Caladiums are tropical tuberous plants cultivated almost exclusively for their heart-shaped or lance-like leaves, which display striking patterns of white, pink, red, and green. Often called Angel Wings, these plants provide a vibrant, colorful display that typically lasts throughout the warm season, making them a popular choice for shady garden spots and containers. The main attraction is the dramatically patterned foliage, not the flowers.
The Timing and Look of Caladium Flowers
Caladiums do produce flowers, though they are often small and go unnoticed, especially when surrounded by the plant’s large, colorful leaves. The flower structure, characteristic of the Arum family, features a modified leaf called a spathe that wraps around a fleshy spike known as a spadix. The spathe is typically inconspicuous, usually colored a pale green or off-white.
These blooms generally emerge early in the growing season, often shortly after the first leaves unfurl from the tuber. The spathe and spadix structure is similar to that of a Peace Lily or Calla Lily, though the caladium’s version lacks the showy appearance of its cousins. Since the plant’s energy is primarily focused on leaf production, the flower is not the visual highlight.
The Growing Season: When Foliage Appears
The visual display begins when foliage emerges from the underground tuber, which requires consistent warmth. Tubers should not be planted outdoors until the soil temperature consistently reaches 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, and nighttime air temperatures remain above 60 degrees. Planting too early can cause the tuber to rot or stunt growth.
The peak foliage season typically runs from late spring or early summer, following planting, through early fall. The leaves will remain vibrant and numerous as long as the weather stays hot and humid. This sustained growth contrasts sharply with the brief appearance of the bloom.
The plant enters dormancy when temperatures cool in the fall, particularly when soil temperatures drop below 55 degrees Fahrenheit. As dormancy approaches, the leaves will begin to yellow, droop, and wither, signaling the end of the colorful display. The long-lasting foliage is the reward for providing the necessary heat and consistent moisture throughout the summer months.
Why Gardeners Prune Caladium Blooms
Pruning, or deadheading, the caladium flower is a common practice to maximize the colorful leaf display. Reproduction, which involves producing a flower and setting seed, is an energy-intensive process. This process draws energy reserves stored within the tuber.
The tuber is the plant’s storage organ, holding the carbohydrates and nutrients needed to fuel the development of large leaves and ensure survival. Allowing the flower to mature and produce seeds diverts this energy away from vegetative growth. By removing the flower stalk as soon as it appears, the gardener redirects resources back into producing larger and more numerous leaves.
This practice results in a more vigorous plant with a fuller, more colorful presentation of foliage. To prune safely, the gardener should use a clean, sharp tool to cut the flower stalk (spathe) near the base of the plant. Removing the bloom is an actionable way to encourage the plant to invest its energy in the characteristic leaves for which it is primarily grown.